Hexagons Galore!

It is not with great pride I show these pics - but, how could I resist - click the button on my sidebar to see what the Quiltalong is all about! Up top is my newie, as organized by Robyn of Daisy Quilts!

I did one diamond last night using the American Piecing method - see the lower right-hand corner - I made myself a little window template, drew inside and out, cut around the outside and stitched together on the lines.

I do prefer the neatness of the English Paper Piecing method, but this is so much quicker, so I thought I would give it a try!

Hmm, hmmm - just clearing my throat! Here's one I have partly done - very tiresome, but very beautiful - an 1840 reproduction with 5/8" side hexagons - all the cream joining-hexagons have daunted me - maybe I will finish it when I'm an old lady!

Above is my finished Hexagon Quilt top in the progress of being hand quilted - this has been in existence for way too many years - I have started the hand quilting using the Perle thread and bigger stitches and it looks okay!

This is a little darling of 1/2' hexagons - ancient it is - one of my first quilting projects! I have promised myself I will make it into a medallion for a quilt! All my hexagon projects, except this one have been done in reproduction fabrics and I think this one looks sort of Thirtyish.

Here's a cushion top of larger hexagons - well, sort of a cushion top and I have promised myself that will get done - a good one for One Project a Month, see the button on my sidebar!

My dear little boy, Byron with his new haircut - he popped in to see Nanny yesterday, along with twin sister Heidi!

As I said earlier, this new start will be my 33rd hexagon project, but then I do tend to exaggerate - oh, I would love to finish just one!

♥ ... Happy Weekend ... Hugs ... ♥

My Dilly-Bag and Mosaic Hexagon Quiltalong!

Yesterday was a very productive day - I made a dilly-bag like the one Pat gave me at Christmas time! It is really quite zany and lovely, so with Pat's blessing, I will do a little tutorial at a later time - such a handy bag for so many projects and can be adapted to many different sizes. It will be good for our Christmas 2009 Projects! I did very scrappy, but will show you in fewer colours!

Also, I was so happy to see my bundle of either 40 or 40 fat-quarters arrive from the Fat Quarter Shop. It is the Charisma range, with which I have just completed the raffle quilt, and I was so lucky to get the bundle at half-price! Angela will be a happy girl, now!

Jusy look at this gorgeous Mosaic Hexagon Quilt - now, how old would that be? Robyn from Daisy Quilts is organizing The Great Hexagon Quiltalong - should be a lot of 'show and tell' fun - pop over to see what it is all about!

Today is the first day back this year at my local patchwork group - hope it is not too hot, it was very pleasant outside early this morning, so let's hope the heat doesn't get too bad, or I will have to scuttle home to my aircon (LOL)!

Happy Day - Hugs - ♥

Charisma Finished!

Whoohoo! My project for January finished! This has been a delightful quilt to make and my first attempt on a big project hand-quilting in larger stitches with Perle thread and a big needle!

I originally bought the fabric from Kerry's and Julie's online shop Provincial Patch - they are delightful girls! I wanted to have a go at doing a Disappearing Nine-Patch - a great design made with squares into a 9-patch and then split up the middle both ways. I placed my blocks randomly and am happy with the outcome!

Western Australian Quilters have asked me to make a third prize for their Art Union Raffle for their QuiltWest Exhibition in May, so I am happy to be able to donate this quilt. Proceeds will go to The Royal Flying Doctor Service and though I haven't checked most probably some donation to Breast Cancer Research. With Australia being such a vast country with so many remote towns, where would we be without our RFDS - almost daily we hear about the life-saving service they provide to our folk. And breast cancer, need we emphasize further about that - at the moment it is cricket season here and great honour is being given to young mother,Jane McGrath who lost her battle with breast cancer last year - her husband, Glen, former Australian Test cricketer and the players and spectators are supporting a foundation in Jane's honour and all wearing pink - looks good! Let's hope we can all do our little bit to help both these worthy causes!

Here's a close-up of the quilting! The quilt took me a couple of months to make and DD, Angela, is really peeved that I am giving it away - however, I have been lucky enough to stumble across a bundle of fat-quarters on sale at the The Fat Quarter Shop in the US, and I will definitely make another - would not disappoint my little girl! I am hoping the fabric will arrive this week.

I'm off now to prepare for a 'dilly-bag making workshop' with Pat tomorrow - hopefully, I will have one of my creations to show you soon!

♥ ... Hugs ... ♥

A Pretty Quilt for a Beautiful Girl!

With high temperatures here and quilts stored away, I have borrowed a quilt I made for grand-daughter, Ayesha, Christmas, 2007. I am under threat of death to make sure I return it to her! She just loves it and it is so warm!

Once again, I have used my favourite little 3" square pinwheel blocks - they look different in every quilt and certainly lend a sparkle! Though very simple, this is my own design. I have appliqued large cirles within circles in the bigger blocks!

This one is professionally machine-quilted and I am really happy with it - usually I hand-quilt or struggle with the machine - I think you will be able to see the daisy quilting on the daisy background fabric - cute, eh!

It is nice to see all the Blogland girls launching into 2009 with enthusiasm - so many great blogs to visit! I spent yesterday binding my Charisma quilt - just have the hanging sleeve to add today. It still feels like holidays around here - being a mining state, most Dads and Sons will return to work tomorrow and it is so hot out there, too!

♥ Happy Stitching ... Hugs ♥

Angels, Dollies, Rattles and Dilly-Bags!

Yes, I've sort of been busy - my first little Angel! I think she is just gorgeous - this is a reduced size of the block from the Quilted Crow quilt. I'm going to use antique reproductions fabrics. Believe it or not, her dress is made from Regency Dandy, Circa 1810 and her wings a Judie Rothermal fabric. I will use all brighter reproductions in this little quilt - not sure where it is heading, but I will make at least nine appliqued blocks.

Thought I would show you the little rattles I gave to my older twin grandchildren when they were born - that's nearly 13 year ago - a dear friend, who was an extremely talented egg-decorator made them for me from tiny bantam eggs.

I had to pop to the shops to get some binding fabric for my Charisma quilt - of course, I just happened to see some zany brights that took my eye. Now, I just love the dilly-bag Pat has given me, so I am going to solicit Pat's help and try to do the crazy, wonderful things she does with fabric.

I don't know about you, but I am really quite naughty with fabric scraps - into the bin they go! So one of my resolutions is to keep them and throw them together to make useful articles. Have you seen Nanette's button on my sidebar - we are going to start our 2009 Christmas gifts early - do pop over to Freda's Hive to get in on the action! Maybe I will be able to help out if I can master these dilly-bags!

Terri, of Purple and Paisley, is quite intrigued with this little dolly of mine, so I thought I would show a photo of her on her own - I made her in the days when my painting skills were at top peak, just after I stopped making porcelain dolls - even her shoes are painted and of course, I had pretty wigs and hats to dress dollies in those days.

Terri has a birthday on 7 January and so does Shari of Mummsyblossom's World - Shari is having a Giveaway - do pop over and wish both these girls a Happy Birthday!

I have just the border to quilt around now on my Charisma quilt and then the binding to do, so hope to have a busy weekend finishing that off. It is still very warm here, so it will nice to be in the aircon!

♥ ... Hugs ... Lurline ... ♥

New Year's Resolutions ... 2009!!!

A tidy sewing room (I did say tidy ... not organized!) - well, this is the start of it! Also, all my folding is up to date, house tidied, kids fed and back to their Mum and Dad, read my emails quickly, then into the delightfully tidy sewing room!

I have made a cushion cover from one of the blocks of my first quilt - at least now I do have something to show and tell about my first quilt, even if it isn't finished ... and never will be!

Now, Blogland resolutions! I will try to reply to every Comment dilligently, try to check up on all the Postings on Blogs I Follow, make an effort to expand friendships ... you know, all those sort of things!

I know I should put a limit on my computer time - but I'm not going to do that! I like Blogging, Sewing, Socializing and when I can I will!

Right now I'm off to ponder over my new Angel Quilt - would be nice to make a start on some applique and really, let's face it, what I do today, I will do for the rest of the year!

♥ ... Hugs ... ♥

Happy New Year !!!

This will be my last Post for 2008 - I'm really looking forward to starting 2009 tomorrow! 'They say' ... 'whatever you do on New Year's Day, you will do for the rest of the year' ... guess what I will be doing and let's hope that old saying comes true!

Yesterday was another Girlfriends' Day - lovely to swap tales about what we have done over Christmas. Also, nice 'show and tell' - Pat's Kaffe Fassett quilt is a stunner, all those yummy, bright colours!

Mmmm, interesting! This is a Fly Veil - made to cover food at our outdoor picnics, etc. Jan made this one from tulle and since making her first one she has had to make several more for other friends and family - a great idea!

Jan has made this gorgeous little quilt for latest grandson, Patrick. Beautiful quilting - shame it isn't showing up better. The lovely little scallops are supposed to be individually held down with buttons - maybe when Patrick is a little older!

A story book quilt for Sally's little grand-daughter - just gorgeous!

Myra, of Tactile Pleasures in Fabric, and I recently discussed doing a PIF swap with each other if we didn't get enough starters. Well, we both have, but I received an email from Myra this morning to say she's still in for it - I'd love to do it, too, Myra, so - let's go!

Enjoy your celebrations this evening, thank you so much for joining in my Blogland fun in 2008, this has all been a new and wonderful experience for me!

♥ ... Stay Safe ... Hugs and Best Wishes ... ♥ !!!

An Interesting Day ... With a Tinge of Sadness!

Pitter, patter, pitter, patter ... that's how my heart went watching Hugh Jackman! Yes, we did finally get to see 'Australia' yesterday. Now, being VERY patriotic Aussies, DH and I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Mustn't forget Nicole either, or little Nullah, we thought the acting was superb. I guess having travelled around Australia a lot, living in Arnhem Land for 17 years and appreciating our history, we came out of the cinema feeling uplifted - I must admit to having a few little tears in my eyes!

Here is Pat's gift that was hidden in orange cellophane - a colourful dilly-bag (this girl throws fabrics together and they come out looking a million dollars!), a little pudding and interesting snippets of fabrics - thanks, dear Girlfriend!

A project for 2009 - love these little angels, so I am going to have great fun with applique for a change - I have so badly wanted to do applique again! They are from The Quilted Crow in Tasmania - Leonie and Deidre are great girls, so efficient, friendly and obliging - do visit their shop and their blog!

Once again, I'm back into more gardening, so must get out there before the heat comes in. I talked about establishing a succulent garden - here is one of the gorgeous specimens I planted and raided DD, Angela's garden for lots more. They should thrive beautifully in what was a vegie garden.

A tragedy occurred yesterday at 'our beach' - a 10 minute walk away. Sadly a man was taken by a shark - God Bless him, his loved ones and friends. My children and grandchildren swim there regularly. We are always amazed when nature behaves in this manner - when we lived in Arnhem Land, crocodiles were always the danger!

On a brighter note - Bonnie from Quiltville, has a new Mystery Quilt starting New Year - should be a lot of fun, once again!

Out to the garden - ♥ ... hugs ... ♥ !

Oh, What a Wonderful Christmas!

At last ... I was a Good Girl for so long! Yesterday morning I had wonderful surprises when I opened my SSCS from Stephanie of Loft Creations. In the little note Stephanie enclosed, she told me she has been following my blog all along since she knew I was her partner - well, she got it right, didn't she?

I was so sad I had missed Nanette's (Freda's Hive fame!) Christmas Cottage Block Swap - well now I have my very own wallhanging thanks to Stephanie! Also, check out this bag, see my favourite pinwheel blocks in one of my favourite ranges of fabrics, Charisma by Moda. Beautiful bag and beautifully made, too, thanks Stephanie - I shall use it with pride! Also, choccies, a handy notepad and a lovely thimble, a treasure from Dresden, Ohio!

Many thanks and big hugs Stephanie♥ also to you chookyblue♥ for organizing a great swap - I certainly look forward to partiticipating in 2009 and would encourage all you girls in Blogland to join in on some of the great swaps that are about!


Now for my Funny Foto of 2008 - well, perhaps not so funny Tyler captured in this pose, but the whole display was so funny, I just laughed until tears ran down my face! Here is this beautiful 17 nearly 18 year old grandson of mine doing antics on the little one's trampoline - he was gorillas, swans, birds, ballerinas the whole bit. This was our Christmas Day breakfast entertainment! Look at that beautiful blue sky - what glorious weather we had here in Perth, blue skies, sunshine and cool breezes - summer doesn't get any better than this! What a lovely breakfast we had at Danielle's and Adrian's home!

The afternoon was spent at my other daughter, Angela's place - Ben cooked a fabulous lunch and Charlie a single friend of his brought a feast of prawns and I made dessert, an Aussie Pavlova and a new recipe cheesecake - really nice as it has fresh ricotta and Greek yoghurt as well as the usual cream cheese, not as rich and overdone as the usual cheescake! Lots of lovely fresh fruit about at the moment.

Well, it's all over for another year - I'm off to Bunnings now to buy a new garden fork for myself with Christmas gift money - I can feel a succulent garden coming on! Hopefully sewing will start again tomorrow!

♥ ... Hugs ... ♥

Christmas Eve ... Australia ... 2008!

So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear ones
The old and the young ....

Our beautiful Western Australian Christmas Tree! It is blooming prolifically at the moment - just gorgeous!

Last minute gifts - I rushed in this morning and made another Cabbage Patch Dolly Bag. I have recently been able to buy waffle cloth, so made this tea towel as a Christmas gift for my Mum's hairdresser, Tracey - I think originally I was inspired by Nanette at Freda's Hive, so thank you Nanette! I'll be scouting around after Christmas to get brighter ric-rac!

Am itching to find out what is in this orange cellophane parcel - will have to wait until tomorrow morning, though! Dear friend, Pat, had it dropped off to me yesterday.

And here's our Aussie Christmas Cake - this year a Mango Fruitcake, so that is a little bit different!

I'm off now to finish making Lemon Meringue Pie and then a Pavlova!

I can't help but mention Chris Rea's beautiful Christmas song - Driving Home For Christmas! Sadly my elder son and his partner will not be driving home for Christmas - God Bless and stay safe, Aaron and Oy - love you! ♥

I leave you with the chorus of John Lennon's beautiful song - my very favourite! Have a wonderful Christmas dear Blogland Friends!

A very merry Christmas

And a happy New Year

Let's hope it's a good one

Without any fear ...

♥ Hugs ... Lurline ... ♥